Sport glove with grip pads based on hand anatomy

ABSTRACT

A sport glove includes grip pads located in key areas of the hand such as the palm, thumb, and fingers to provide enhanced performance in sporting events. The grip pads are patterned based on or mirror the anatomical structure of the hand. The grips pads are located at locations corresponding to places of pressure on the palm side of the hand when the hand is contracted to grip a sport implement. The grip pads have spacing patterns to correspond to creases of the palm side of the hand. The grip pads can be located on the exterior of the palm, fingers, and thumb in direct contact with the sport implement. The sport glove can also include grip pads on the interior of the glove in direct contact with the athlete&#39;s hand.

FIELD

Descriptions herein relate generally to sports equipment, and more particular descriptions are related to sport gloves with grip pads.

BACKGROUND

Many sports use a hand-held sports implement to interact with a ball. Sports such as baseball, softball, and cricket use a bat; sports such as tennis and racquetball use a racket; and golf uses clubs. In these and other sports, the athlete is a user of the sports implement, which is used to strike a ball. The form and operation of the sports implement can be different for the different sports. However, the general operation involves a moment of impact between the sports implement and the ball, where the athlete transfers force to the ball through the sports implement. The moment of impact can cause slipping and rotation of the sports implement. The impact can cause various stresses that can injure the hand.

Consider the example of baseball and a baseball bat. At the time of impact, the bottom-hand is in a palm down position gripping the bat, while the top-hand is in a palm-up position. The use of a baseball bat can provide a lot of pressure on the hypothenar eminence (ulnar side of the heel of the hand) and the thenar eminence (thumb-side of the heel of the hand), as they drive the bat forward towards the impact with the ball. The pressure can affect bones of the hand and irritate the nerves. The hamate bone in particular can be fractured when a golfer clubs the ground instead of the golf ball, or when baseball players are batting.

Sport gloves have been introduced to provide a layer of protection to the hand during play. However, traditional sport gloves tend to increase bulkiness, especially when gripping the sports implement. Traditional sport gloves tend to reduce the tactile feel and responsiveness. While traditional sport gloves may include materials in an attempt to improve grip, there can still be significant slippage. Many attempts to reduce the slippage have only tended to result in increased bulkiness of the gloves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description includes discussion of figures having illustrations given by way of implementation examples. The drawings should be understood by way of example, and not by way of limitation. As used herein, references to one or more examples are to be understood as describing a particular feature, structure, or characteristic included in at least one implementation. Thus, phrases such as “in one example” or “alternatively” appearing herein describe various examples and implementations, and do not necessarily all refer to the same implementation. However, they are also not necessarily mutually exclusive.

FIG. 1A is a representation of a hand illustrating hand creases and skeletal structure.

FIG. 1B is a representation of an example of a sports glove with pads having anatomical spacing.

FIG. 1C is a representation of an example of the sports glove of FIG. 1B over the hand of FIG. 1A illustrating positioning of the glove over the skeletal structure and hand creases.

FIG. 2A is a representation of a hand illustrating pressure points for gripping a sports implement.

FIG. 2B is a representation of an example of a sports glove over the hand of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a representation of a hand illustrating nerves and hamate bone affected by gripping a sports implement.

FIG. 3B is a representation of an example of a glove over the hand of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a representation of an example of a glove with grips pads located on the palm corresponding to the anatomy of a hand when closed in a grip.

FIG. 4B is a representation of an example of a glove with grips pads located on the palm and fingers corresponding to the anatomy of a hand closed in a grip.

FIG. 4C is a representation of an example of a glove with grips pads located on the palm and with patterned finger pads corresponding to the anatomy of a hand closed in a grip.

FIG. 4D is a representation of an example of a sports glove to grip a bat.

Descriptions of certain details and embodiments follow, including a description of the figures, which can depict some or all of the embodiments described below, as well as discussing other potential embodiments or implementations of the inventive concepts presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described herein, a sport glove includes grip pads located in key areas of the hand such as the palm, thumb, and fingers to provide enhanced performance in sporting events. The grip pads are patterned based on or mirror the anatomical structure of the hand. The grips pads are located to at locations corresponding to places of pressure on the palm side of the hand when the hand is contracted to grip a sports implement or other sports equipment. The grip pads have spacing patterns to correspond to creases of the palm side of the hand. The grip pads can be located on the exterior of the palm, fingers, and thumb in direct contact with the sport implement. The sport glove can also include grip pads on the interior of the glove in direct contact with the athlete's hand.

The expression “sport glove” as used herein refers to a glove with features to enhance grip during the playing of one or more sports. The expression sport glove will typically be used throughout the description, and alternatively the expression “sports glove” could be used. Additionally, the expression “sports implement” refers to a tool or implement used in the playing of certain sports, such as a bat, club, racket, or other handheld sporting implement. Descriptions can also apply to other sports equipment such as bars, ropes, handles, or other equipment used in an athletic contexts. Descriptions can also apply to work equipment such as bars and handles in the context of the use of work equipment. Throughout the description the expression “sports implement” is typically used, and alternatively the expressions “sport implement” or “sporting implement” could be used. While referred to as a “sport glove” throughout, it will be understood that an application of the gloves herein could apply to the context of a work environment with the use of work equipment.

Sport gloves create an extra layer between the hands and the sports implement. The extra layer introduced by a sport glove can actually reduce flexibility, grip, control, and tactile response and feel. Thus, gloves can be considered inferior to that of the bare human hand. Sport gloves manufacturers have added features to the gloves to improve grip, which has resulted in better control, but typically also increases bulkiness, stiffness, heat build-up, and loss of tactile response and feel resulting in diminished performance.

For various swings with different sports implements, the impact of the sports implement on the ball can be off-center with respect to the sports implement. Some impacts are off-center as an intentional strategy, such as batting for home runs in baseball by hitting just below the midline of the ball, or for applying spin in racquetball or tennis, or for changing the drive of the ball in golf. Other impacts may be off-center as a non-ideal swing or non-ideal strike. In any case, the attempted application of power in the swing together with the off-center striking of the ball can generate forces that cause rotation of the sports implement in the athlete's hand. Rotation in the hand will cause a loss of kinetic energy. Any kinetic energy lost is energy that cannot be transferred from the body through the sports implement to the ball, resulting in a lower application of force applied to the ball. And where force is lost, exit-velocity and distance will be reduced. To prevent twisting of the sports implement, the user needs to ensure a secure grip.

A sport glove as described herein includes grip pads to improve grip for the user or athlete. Grip pads on the palm have shapes that can mirror the structure of the hand. Examples are provided in the drawings and described below; it will be understood that the illustrated structures are non-limiting examples only. Other shapes can be used to enhance grip while reducing interference to the hand by the sport glove while gripping. In one example, the grip pads are located on the exterior of the glove in direct contact with the sports implement. In one example, the grip pads are located on the interior of the glove in direct contact with the hand. In one example, the sport glove includes grip pads on both the interior and the exterior. The grips pads can be provided in any combination of interior and exterior, with pads on any or all of the palm, thumb, and fingers. Whether internal or external, the pads are aligned to work together. Benefits of the grip pads when gripping a sports implement and striking a ball can include enhanced control, enhanced power, reduced loss of kinetic energy transfer, or a combination of these. In one example, the grip pads are positioned to enhance control and to reduce rotation of a sports equipment in the hands of the athlete. In one example, the grip pads are positioned internally on portions of the fingers and thumb to enhance control and to reduce movement of the hand inside the glove.

The descriptions below are directed to sport gloves, athletic gloves, fitness gloves, or other type of gloves where grip is desired. Sports can include but are not limited to baseball, softball, racquetball, tennis, cricket, squash, golf, or other games, sports, or activities where a grip is used to push, pull, hold, or swing a sports implement. Further application of a grip can be in batting sports, watersports, snow sports, sports with clubs, racket sports, obstacle course racing, combat simulation sports, or other sports. The grip can be or include a cylindrical grip, a hammer grip, a power grip, or other. The sports implement can be used to strike a target such as a ball or another participant, or can be used to traverse an obstacle or navigate the motion of the athlete. While one skilled in the art will appreciate the application to any of the areas mentioned, and to other areas, the descriptions below have many examples that focus on batting sports such as baseball and softball. The descriptions can relate to the grip, bat rotation, kinetic energy, power, protection, comfort, durability, responsiveness, or other aspects of these sports, or a combination of aspects.

Consider the example of baseball. When a batter has an ideal grip, the athlete will be able to transfer as much kinetic energy as possible from the athlete's body through the bat and into the ball, resulting in greater flight-distance in the batted ball. Factors that can improve the transfer of kinetic energy include increased grip strength, reduced rotation of the bat, and reduced compression of the bat into the soft tissue of the hand. Other factors can also contribute. These factors can be achieved by various implementations of the sport glove described, resulting in improved performance.

FIG. 1A is a representation of a hand illustrating hand creases and skeletal structure. Hand 102 provides an illustration of the structure of a hand. Hand 102 includes a palm area, fingers or digits, and a thumb (which could also be considered a digit or a finger in some situations). For purposes of hand 102, the thumb and fingers will be described separately. The illustration includes arrows and reference number relative a single finger, but the same description applies to the various fingers.

The fingers have finger joints 128. While not specifically labeled, the joints can be referred to as the distal joint, the middle joint, and the proximal joint. The creases in the hand may be aligned with or offset from the joints. Hand 102 shows distal digital crease 122, which is a crease in the finger near the joint farthest from the palm. Hand 102 shows proximal digital crease 126, which is a crease in the finger near the joint closest to the palm. Hand 102 shows middle digital crease 124, which is a crease in the finger near the middle joint. The thumb includes interphalangeal crease 132, which is a crease in the thumb further from the palm. The thumb includes metacarpophalangeal joint crease 134, which is a crease in the thumb where the thumb connects to the palm.

The palm includes distal palmar crease 142, which runs along the top of the hand from the base of the fingers to the side of the hand opposite the thumb. The palm also includes proximal palmar crease 144, which runs from the side of the hand near the metacarpophalangeal joint to the side of the hand opposite the thumb. The palm also includes thenar crease 146, which runs from the side of the hand near the metacarpophalangeal joint to the heel of the hand. When hand 102 is contracted into a first or when gripping a sports implement, the hand folds at the creases.

FIG. 1B is a representation of an example of a sports glove with pads having anatomical spacing. Glove 104 provides an example of a sport glove with grip pads corresponding to the anatomical structure of hand 102 of FIG. 1A. Glove 104 is made of material 150. Material 150 can be any sport glove base material. Examples of a base material can be or include leather, synthetic leather, polyester, nylon, polyurethane, or other material. In one example, material 150 represents a combination of materials that form the base of glove 104. Whether a single material or a combination of materials, material 150 is in the shape of a hand to form glove 104. Often the palm of a sport glove can include one base material and the material for the back of the hand will include a stretchable fabric, such as 2-way or 4-way stretch spandex.

Glove 104 can include any form of base material 150, whether the same or a different material is used for the palm and the back of the glove or sides of the glove. The use of stretch fabrics on the side or back side can create a tight, comfortable fit while allowing the hand to flex and grip the sports implement with little resistance. In addition to the back of the hand, glove 104 can include side finger gussets to ensure tighter fit around the fingers, and can also be made with stretchable fabric such as spandex. Glove 104 includes wrist cuff 168 to secure the glove on the hand. In one example, writs cuff 168 includes an adjustable portion, such as with hook and loop closure ensure a snug fit and to reduce the amount of glove-slippage around the wrist.

The grid pads of glove 104 are of a different material than base material 150. In one example, the grip pads are made of silicone. In one example, the grip pads are made of rubber. In one example, the grip pads are made of a polymer material. The grip pads can be made of a different material or a combination. The material of the grip pads has improved grip relative to material 150. Palm pads 152 of glove 104 and the palm pads and finger pads 154 of glove 106 have less tactile slippage relative to material 150. Thus, the grip pads have a property that reduces the transferring of vibration from the sports implement to the hand. For example, silicone rubber inherently dampens vibration. Other materials may have a compressibility that reduces the effects of vibration.

As illustrated, glove 104 includes palm pads 152. Palm pads 152 show palm pads located over four different portions of the palm, but more palm pads can be used, such as by further segmenting one of the palm pad portions. Fewer palm pads could be used, but it may reduce the effectiveness of the patterning shown. Whatever the number of palm pads used, at least some of the palm pad portions are separated by spacing that corresponds to creases of the hand as indicated in hand 102. Palm pads 152 (and finger pads 154 of glove 106) can be said to have spacing that “corresponds” to the creases or anatomy of the hand. The grip pads can be said to be adjacent to the creases but not cover or overlap the creases. Thus, the grip pads can cover the areas of the hand that make contact with the sports implement when gripping, while having spaces that reduce interference with the contracting hand. For example, glove 104 can include distal palmar space 162 corresponding to distal palmar crease 142. Glove 104 can include proximal palmar space 164 corresponding to proximal palmar crease 144. Glove 104 can include thenar space 166 corresponding to thenar crease 146. Thenar space 166 could alternatively be referred to as a thenar space. In one example, glove 104 includes each of spaces 162, 164, and 166. The spaces can be over the creases, with the grip pads adjacent to the creases and providing the spaces.

In one example, glove 104 includes a palm pad 152 positioned above the distal palmar crease and below the proximal digital creases of the fingers. Such a palm pad can protect the distal heads of the metacarpals. In one example, glove 104 includes a palm pad 152 positioned on the hypothenar eminence, which can increase grip pressure, enhance the durability of the glove, protect the hamate bone, reduce abrasion, and help dissipate vibration to the ulnar nerve. In one example, glove 104 includes a palm pad 152 positioned on the thenar eminence, which can also enhance the durability of the glove, reduce abrasion, and increase grip pressure. In general, the grip pads can provide enhanced grip, hamate bone protection, glove durability, protection of the soft tissues of the hand, or a combination of these. The improved grip can provide an anti-rotation effect of the glove when a sports implement is used to strike the target, such as a ball.

Glove 106 provides an example of a sport glove in accordance with the example of glove 104. Glove 106 also includes grip pads on the palm according to what is described for glove 104, although the palm pads are not specifically labeled on glove 106. Glove 106 also has spacing for the grip pads. The spacing can be referred to as anatomically correct flex grooves or flexible grooves. The flex grooves are located along the major creases of the hand such as the thenar crease, the distal palmar crease, and the proximal palmar crease to allow uninhibited flexing of the hand around the sports implement (not shown in FIG. 1B) or contracting of the hand in a grip around the sports implement. In addition to grip pads on the palm, glove 106 includes finger pads 154 and thumb pad 156. In accordance with what is described previously, the pads can be internal or external pads, or both internal and external pads.

Finger pads 154 can be placed on the fingers to protect the loose connective tissue, pulleys, and tendons of the proximal, middle and distal phalanges. Finger pads 154 can vary in width and length from finger to finger. In one example, finger pads 154 will be scaled differently for glove 106, depending on the sport, on the size of the glove, or on the gender of the athlete, or a combination of these scaling factors. In one example, finger pads 154 are located only on the palm side of the fingers, and are not placed on the lateral sides of the fingers, in between the fingers. It will be understood that if finger pads 154 provide grip and vibration protection, they will not be needed between the fingers, and would only cause unnecessary bulkiness and discomfort. In accordance with the anatomical spacing, finger pads 154 are not placed over the distal or middle digital creases, which would inhibit finger flexion around the sports implement, increase bulkiness, and cause excessive fatigue.

In one example, glove 106 includes only a single thumb pad 156. In one example, glove 106 can include an additional thumb pad 156 on the end of the thumb. It will be understood that the inside portion of the proximal phalange is the location where pressure is high on the thumb during impact of the sports implement with the target. As such, placement of a thumb pad 156 on the distal end of the thumb phalange may be considered unnecessary. One reason the distal thumb pad may be unnecessary is that for certain sports, when gripping a sports implement the distal end of the thumb of the bottom hand lays over the index and middle fingers that have wrapped around the sports implement, and does not come into contact with the sports implement. A second reason is that the distal end of the thumb of the top hand lays over the index and middle fingers and has no contact with the sports implement, or it rests along the handle of the sports implement. There may be advantage in having a distal thumb pad when glove 106 is for non-batting sports, but it may be advantageous to remove the additional material and bulk for batting sports. Thumb pad 156 (or multiple thumb pads) can enhance the opposing grip-pressure of the thumb, while preventing rotation of the sports implement when force is applied. The application of force to the sports implement can be, for example, when a bat strikes the ball off-center.

In one example, the placement of the grip pads on the palm are shaped and placed to mirror and augment the musculature of the thenar eminence and the hypothenar eminence. The grip pads are shaped or patterned based on the structure of the hands. The placement of the grip pads can enhance precision power performance in sporting activities where a sports implement is pushed, pulled, or swung.

In one example, for either glove 104 or glove 106, the shapes of the palm pads can be in accordance with the following. In one example, the shape of the palm pad over the thenar eminence approximates the shape of the thenar eminence, which can enhance the function of the thenar muscle complex. Anatomical flex grooves in the thenar eminence pad allow the muscles to flex naturally, and reduce the likelihood of heat build-up in the glove. In one example, the shape of the hypothenar eminence pad approximates the shape of the hypothenar eminence, and enhances the function of the hypothenar muscle complex. Anatomical flex grooves in the hypothenar eminence pad allow the muscles to flex naturally, and reduce the likelihood of heat build-up in the glove.

In one example, the grip pads of glove 104 are on the outside of the glove. In one example, the grip pads of glove 104 are on the inside of the glove. In one example, the grip pads are on the inside and the outside of glove 104. The use of both internal and external grip pads can double the grip pad material to act as a second skin to reduce kinetic energy loss by decreasing the sports implement from being pushed back or compressed into the soft tissue of the hand when the sports implement strikes its target, i.e., the ball. The grip pads can protect the skin and dissipate vibration energy that would otherwise transfer to the hamate bone and the ulnar nerve.

When both internal and external grip pads are used, the effects are improved when the internal grip pads are mirror images of the external grip pads. Thus, when adhered the grip pads will overlap their patterns, with both corresponding to the structure of the hand relative to the portions that contract for grip. When both internal and external grip pads are used, the internal and external grip pads can be of different materials. The different materials can be, for example, silicone and another material, or two different types of silicone (e.g., having different properties such as hardness or other property).

For finger pads 154 and thumb pad 156, grip pads on the internal portion of glove 106 on the fingers can enhance control of the sports implement and help reduce movement of the fingers inside the glove during use. Internal pads can be more effective when centered below corresponding external finger pads 154, as the slight offset of the pads can prevent excessive bulkiness or thickness that would restrict finger flexion around the sports implement. In one example, the size of the internal finger and thumb pads is the same or similar to corresponding external pads if both are used. In one example, when both internal and external finger and thumb pads are used, the internal finger and thumb pads can be adjusted to be smaller than corresponding external pads. In one example, glove 106 includes only selected internal finger and thumb pads (e.g., closest to the palm), and distal pads, or middle and distal pads, can be eliminated.

In some specific examples of gloves 104 and 106, the following can apply. For internal pads that may be used for the palm, fingers, and thumb, the pads can be made of silicone. In one example, the silicone is screen-printed onto the glove. In one example, the silicone has a Shore A hardness of approximately 15-40, and in one specific example has a Shore A hardness of approximately 20-30, which approximates the Shore A durometer measure of the skin of a healthy young man or young woman.

In one example, the thickness of the silicone pads is approximately 0.2-0.6 mm. In one example, the thickness is varied for different pads. The variations can be for different sports or different approaches to a sport, such as gloves for home run hitters and gloves for base-hit hitters. For example, “home run” gloves may include thicker silicone on the thenar eminence, hypothenar eminence, and the thumb, as compared to the silicone for “base hit” gloves. As another example, “home run” gloves may include only proximal digital pads, while “base hit” gloves may include all finger pads 154. The variations can be informed by testing with athletes from the sports and their experience with different styles of performance.

FIG. 1C is a representation of an example of the sports gloves of FIG. 1B over the hand of FIG. 1A illustrating positioning of the gloves over the skeletal structure and hand creases. Diagram 108 illustrates the overlap of glove 104 of FIG. 1B onto hand 102 of FIG. 1A. Diagram 110 illustrates the overlap of glove 106 of FIG. 1B onto hand 102 of FIG. 1A.

With respect to the anatomy of the hand, there are not major muscles in the fingers themselves; but the muscles that control the movements of the fingers are actually in the forearm. The fingers include soft, fatty pads described as loose connective tissue. Diagram 110 illustrates how grip pads can be located over the locations of the finger pads, which can reduce bat twisting when significant force occurs on the sports implement. Examples of what causes significant force can be when a bat strikes the ball off-center, or the ball strikes the bat on the distal end outside the sweet spot, or when a club impacts the ground, or when a ball hits the racket towards the edge and outside the sweet spot. The gloves in diagrams 108 and 110 can reduce twisting and vibration transfer from a sports implement, which can improve the transfer of kinetic energy from the athlete's body to the target.

The fatty tissue of the fingers can be found running lengthwise over the pinky phalanges at the proximal end, under the palm. The ridge of fatty tissue is very soft and supple, which serves to protect the bones of the fourth and fifth phalanges. However, this means it also serves to absorb recoil of a sports implement when striking a target, or when the hand comes into contact with the sports implement (e.g., when an athlete jumps to and grabs a stationary object), which causes kinetic energy to be absorbed into the tissue. For sports where the absorption of the energy is desired (e.g., jumping and grabbing), the sport gloves can better spread the impact energy. For sports where the energy is desired to be transferred to a target (e.g., a ball), the sport gloves can help maintain a better grip to transfer more energy to the target.

Silicone and other grip-enhancing materials have been used on the surface of traditional sport gloves. However, the use of silicone or other materials on traditional sport gloves can provide uneven performance benefits. The materials can be used to enhance grip, but by placing the silicone over the major creases of the hand, the creasing when using the gloves can actually cause “sticking” as the grip pad folds over on itself significantly at the major creases. In contrast, as seen in diagram 108, the shaded outlines representing the grip pads of the sport glove have palmar spacing 172 that overlaps the creases of the hand. By providing the grip pads based on the structure of the hand, there is reduced bunching of the glove in use. Additionally, as seen in diagram 110 when finger pads are used, the shaded outlines representing the digital pads have digital spacing 174 that corresponds to the creases of the hand. The digital spacing 174 can be an overlap of the creases, or can be positioned close to the creases.

Thus, the gloves of diagrams 108 and 110 can have grip pads whose shape, size, or thickness, or a combination of these, takes into account the anatomical structure of the hand. Palmar spacing 172 and digital spacing 174 can be the result of controlling the shape and size of the grip pads. The gloves of diagrams 108 and 110 can eliminate unnecessary or anatomically incorrect pad material placement, which would otherwise result in excessive heat build-up, bulkiness, or stiffness, or other impediments to high performance. The factors that can reduce the performance can also result in blistering, abrasions, excessive muscle contraction and muscle fatigue, as well as loss of tactile awareness and tactile feel. The grip pads of the gloves of diagrams 108 and 110 have anatomical spacing, which can improve the factors that reduce performance, by allowing greater flexibility and reducing flex-fatigue.

In one example, the sport gloves have grip pads on the inside of the gloves. In such an example, the thickness of the internal grip pads can be approximately 0.2-0.6 mm. In one example, the sport gloves have grip pads on the outside of the gloves. In such an example, the thickness of the external grip pads can be approximately up to 2.0 mm. In one example, the finger pads of the sport glove vary from finger to finger. In one example, the finger pads are scaled based on sport, gender, and glove size.

FIG. 2A is a representation of a hand illustrating pressure points for gripping a sports implement. Hand 202 includes shaded areas corresponding to pressure from a sports grip. In particular, hand 202 shows the points of pressure related to gripping the handle of a bat. It will be understood that while the pressure patterns may be different from sport to sport, there will be similarities that can be instructive for the layout of a sport glove.

In the illustration of hand 202, white indicates no pressure or minimal pressure or contact with the bat. The lightest shading is associated with light pressure. The medium shading only appears on the thumb, and is associated with medium pressure. Heavy pressure is illustrated by the darkest shading.

In hand 202, finger pressure 212 is light pressure. Thumb pressure 214 is represented as medium pressure. Upper palm pressure 216 is represented as light pressure. Lower palm pressure 218 is represented as heavy pressure. It will be understood that reference to pressure being “light”, “heavy”, and “medium” is relative. In general, each of the pressures can be understood relative to each other (e.g., heavy pressure is the pressure with the greatest amount of force, more than medium or light pressure, and the converse for light pressure). The exact measurement values are probably less important than understanding where pressure is the highest and where it is lower. Regardless of the exact measurement of the pressure, knowing where pressure is present can help identify ideal placement of grip pads.

In general, the fingers and the thumb hold the sports implement in place and help prevent rotation of the sports implement. The thenar eminence of the thumb and the hypothenar eminence directly push the sports implement and attack the target, and thus the major component of hand grip pressure is across the thenar eminence and the hypothenar eminence. Hand grip pressure has been shown to have an effect on the amount of kinetic energy impacted upon a batted ball. More specifically, a tighter grip produces a greater ball velocity from the impact with the bat relative to lower tension grips. Thus, the tighter the batter can grip the bat, the more kinetic energy the athlete can impart on the batted ball.

FIG. 2B is a representation of an example of a sports glove over the hand of FIG. 2A. To reiterate, hand 202 illustrates one example for batting grip. Other grips may reveal different pressure patterns, which can inform optimization of a sport glove for other grips. In general, the pressure pattern of hand 202 reinforces the fact that placing grip pads based on anatomical structure can provide improved grip while limiting the amount of bulkiness added to the sport glove.

Diagram 204 illustrates an overlay of an example of a sport glove with palm pads such as those of glove 104 of FIG. 1B on hand 202. Diagram 206 illustrates an overlay of an example of a sport glove with palm pads and finger pads such as those of glove 106 of FIG. 1B on hand 202. In general, it can be seen that the anatomical patterning of the grip pads corresponds to areas of the hand that are subject to pressure when gripping a bat. By extension, it will be understood that providing grip pads in a pattern similar to the structure of the hand will provide grip pads in areas that are subject to pressure when gripping other sports implements, although the specific amounts of pressure and even relative pressure may be different for different sports.

In diagram 204, the pressure points of hand 202 overlay an example of grip pads of a sport glove. Upper palm overlap 222 illustrates how the upper palm pads overlap with upper palm pressure 216. Lower palm overlap 224 illustrates how the lower palm pads overlap with lower palm pressure 218. Additionally, thumb overlap 226 illustrates how the thumb pad overlaps with thumb pressure 214.

In diagram 206, the pressure points of hand 202 overlay an example of finger pads of a sport glove. As illustrated, finger overlap 228 represents an overlap of the finger pads with finger pressure 212 of hand 202. It will be observed on hand 202 that the pressure does not cover the entire palm, just as the pressure on the fingers does not cover the entire finger. The gaps in the pressure corresponds to the creases in the hand and the fingers. The gaps in the palm pads and finger pads of the glove as seen in diagrams 204 and 206 is similar to the gaps in the pressure of the hands and fingers. Thus, the pads in the sport glove will cause reduced interference when the hand grips, while still providing grip enhancement by covering the areas that contact the sports implement.

Diagram 206 illustrates thenar eminence 232 and hypothenar eminence 234. Thenar eminence 232 refers to the portion of the heel of the hand proximate the thumb (the thumb side of the heel of the hand), between the thumb and the crease that splits the heel of the hand. Hypothenar eminence 234 refers to the portion of the heel of the hand on the opposite side of the crease from the thumb (the ulnar side of the heel of the hand). Thenar eminence 232 and hypothenar eminence 234 bear the majority of pressure when hand 202 transfers force to a ball from a bat. The thenar and hypothenar eminences will likewise bear significant or the majority of pressure with the use of other sports implements. The sport gloves of diagrams 204 and 206 include grip pads that can be considered to mirror the thenar eminence of the hand, or the hypothenar eminence of the hand, or both the thenar and hypothenar eminences.

The sport gloves of diagrams 204 and 206 can provide benefits including, but not limited to maintaining tactile response or tactile feel, protecting the hamate bone, dissipating vibration, enhancing grip pressure, increasing comfort while reducing blistering and abrasion, and reducing bat twisting and vibration.

With respect to maintenance of tactile response, with grip pads on the inside palm against the skin of the hand, a sports glove provides enhanced feel and tactile awareness due to the minimalist approach to locations of the pads. When the grip pads are made thin, it can improve the tactile awareness. There is a benefit in determining the thinness of the pad based on factoring both the tactile awareness and the ability to protect the hand against the forces applied in use. The sport glove described minimizes excessive fabric bunching and bulkiness, which improves tactile awareness. The sport glove can reduce fabric bunching and bulkiness with anatomically correct placement of finger pads over the loose soft tissues of the fingers in key grip areas. The sport glove can also reduce fabric bunching and bulkiness of gripping with the anatomically correct flex grooves or spaces between the grip pads along the major creases of the hand. While any increase in material, such as including grip pads, could be considered to increase bunching and bulkiness as compared to having no glove, by not placing grip pads over the finger and thumb joints, as well as the key palm creases, a sports glove can provide improved grip while not inhibiting flexion. Additionally, the anatomical spacing means that the sport glove does not add to the bulkiness already resulting from the base material of the glove.

With respect to protection of the hamate bone, grip pads on the hypothenar eminence can serve as a “second skin”, reducing pressure and bruising of the hamate bone. The protection of the hamate bone is improved in an example where the sport glove includes hypothenar eminence pads on both the inside and the outside of the sport glove.

With respect to vibration dissipation, grip pads on the hypothenar eminence can dissipate and reduce painful vibration to the ulnar nerve when the ball is struck outside the “sweet spot”, on the distal end of the bat. The vibration dissipation is improved in an example where the sport glove includes hypothenar eminence pads on both the inside and the outside of the sport glove.

With respect to grip pressure enhancement, grip pads located in the internal side of the palm against the skin augment gripping pressure which will reduce the hand movement inside the glove. Grip pads located on the external side of the palm against the sports implement augment gripping pressure which will reduce undesired twisting of the sports implement due to impact. A grip pad located only on the inside portion of the proximal phalange of the thumb enhances the opposing grip pressure of the thumb to control the sports implement and reduce undesired twisting of the sports implement. Grip pads placed both internally and externally as mirror images of each other on the hypothenar eminence and the thenar eminence bolster the muscle contraction and thus the gripping pressure of the hypothenar muscle complex and the thenar muscle complex.

With respect to comfort and reduced blistering and abrasion, grips pads placed on the hypothenar eminence can serve as a “second skin” to reduce painful pressure and skin abrasion on the heel of the hand. The comfort is improved in an example where the sport glove includes hypothenar eminence pads both internally and externally on the sport glove. The comfort is also improved by reducing heat build-up. Heat build-up can be reduced in an example using thin grip pads having anatomical shapes separated by flex grooves.

With respect to reduction of twisting of the sports implement and transfer of vibration due to use of the sports implement, the grip pads aligned to the anatomy of the hand augment gripping pressure and work together to create anti-rotational friction and prevent twisting of the sports implement. The reduction in movement will reduce vibration of the sports implement. Grip pads located on the inside portion of the proximal phalange of the thumb enhances the opposing force of the thumb, which will increase control of the sports implement and create anti-rotational friction during impact of the sports implement with the target. Grip pads located on the fingers, against the sports implement, augment gripping pressure, which will increase control of the sports implement and create anti-rotational friction during impact of the sports implement with the target.

FIG. 3A is a representation of a hand illustrating the ulnar nerve which can be irritated by the vibrations occurring during the moment of bat-ball impact. Hand 302 illustrates details of the location of ulnar nerve 312 and hamate bone 314. Hamate bone 314 is located in the heel of the hand near the thenar crease of the palm. Hamate bone 314 can suffer injury because of the tremendous force placed on it during the moment of bat-ball impact. Ulnar nerve 312 runs close to hamate bone 314.

Guyon's canal syndrome is an entrapment of the ulnar nerve as it passes through a tunnel in the wrist called Guyon's canal. Hamate bone 314 forms one side of Guyon's canal. The hamate bone has a small hook-shaped spur that sticks out to provide an attachment for several wrist ligaments. Known as the hook of hamate, this small bone can break off and press against ulnar nerve 312 within Guyon's canal.

Hamate bone 314 can suffer fracture, for example, when a golfer clubs the ground instead of the golf ball, or when baseball players are batting. Using the specific example of baseball, when a baseball player hits the ball on the sweet spot of the bat, it causes minimal vibration of the bat. But if the batter strikes the ball outside the sweet spot on the distal end of the bat, or if the ball is struck “off-center”, it will result in a vibration that can irritate the ulnar nerve 312. The vibration can also transfer to hamate bone 314.

FIG. 3B is a representation of an example of a glove over the hand of FIG. 3A. Glove 304 provides an example of how a sport glove in accordance with any description herein can overlay hand 302 of FIG. 3A. Glove 304 includes grip pads that are positioned over the palm in accordance with the anatomical structure of the hand. As illustrated, pad overlap 326 illustrates how grip pads on the palm of glove 304 overlap hamate bone 324, and provide protection to both the hamate bone and ulnar nerve 322.

With glove 304, if an athlete creates force on the heel of the hand by use of a sports implement or sport equipment, the grip pads can cushion and protect the structures of the hand. Returning to the recurring example of a batter in baseball or softball, if the batter strikes the ball off-center, glove 304 provides additional grip to counteract the forces that would result in the bat rotating in the athlete's hands. Consequently, glove 304 can reduce the transfer of vibration from the force of the impact that could sting the hands. In one example, glove 304 includes silicone pads or silicone power pads that can dampen some of the stinging vibration felt in the ulnar nerve. Glove 304 can protect a user against an overuse injury of the hamate bone that can occur in baseball, softball, tennis, and golf. An elite level player can exert hundreds or even thousands of pounds of force on the ball when the knob of the sports implement presses into the heel of the hand just above the hamate bone. Thus, glove 304 can protect against overuse injuries.

FIG. 4A is a representation of an example of a glove with grips pads located on the palm corresponding to the anatomy of a hand when closed in a grip. Glove 402 provides an example of a glove in accordance with glove 104 of FIG. 1B. Glove 402 includes grip pads on the palm having the same basic shape as glove 104.

Thus, glove 402 includes anatomical spacing 412. The anatomical spacing can refer to spaces or gaps between grip pads or segments of the grip pads at locations over major creases of the palm, such as the thenar crease, the proximal palmar crease, and the distal palmar crease. The pad also stops to leave a gap for the proximal digital crease. Glove also includes a space between the palm and the thumb. In one example, a grip pad on the thumb is optional. In an example that includes a thumb pad, the patterning of the pads includes a space between the thumb pad and the palm pads. Thus, glove 402 can include a gap over the metacarpophalangeal joint crease.

In addition to gaps or spacing patterns over the major creases of the hand, in one example, the palm pads of glove 402 include anti-bunching cutouts 414. Anti-bunching cutouts 414 further refine the patterning of glove 402. The cutouts can be located to further reduce the amount of material of the palm grip pads to prevent excessive bunching of the glove when the hand is contracted into a grip. Thus, when a user grips equipment such as a sports implement with glove 402, the major creases are free of the grip pad material to allow a more natural grip without additional bulkiness. Additionally, anti-bunching cutouts 414 provide additional flexibility of the glove to contract into a grip shape. The anatomically-aligned gaps or spacing prevents additional bunching of the base material of glove 402. The addition of the cutouts further prevents additional bunching of the base material.

In one example, glove 402 includes external palm pads. In one example, glove 402 includes internal palm pads. The shape or patterning of the palm pads of glove 402 is one example of what would be seen for external grip pads. For internal grip pads, what is seen in FIG. 4A is a mirror image of the shape or patterning of the grip pads, as though looking through the outer portion of the gloves to the internal grip pads.

Pad placement above the distal palmar crease and below the proximal digital creases of the fingers can protect the distal heads of the metacarpals. Pad placement on the hypothenar eminence increases grip pressure and enhances the durability of the glove. The hypothenar eminence pad placement can also protect the hamate bone, reduces abrasion, and dissipate vibration energy to the ulnar nerve. Anatomical spacing 412 along the thenar crease, the distal palmar crease, and the proximal palmar crease allows uninhibited and natural flexing of the hand around a sports implement or other equipment.

Placing grip pads in high-wear areas such as the thenar and hypothenar eminences protects the base material of the glove and increases the lifespan of the glove. In an example where silicone or another material having similar tactile properties to skin can result in more efficient transfer of kinetic energy from the athlete's body into the sports implement, resulting in the sense of a responsive energy boost. In an example where grip pads are placed both internally and externally, the dual pads augment the anti-compression qualities of the skin and reduce the amount of compression into the skin caused by a sports implement.

FIG. 4B is a representation of an example of a glove with grip pads located on the palm and fingers corresponding to the anatomy of a hand closed in a grip. Glove 404 provides an example of a glove in accordance with glove 106 of FIG. 1B. Glove 404 provides an example of a glove in accordance with glove 402 of FIG. 4A.

Glove 404 includes grip pads on the palm separated by anatomical spacing 422. The palm pads include anti-bunching cut-outs 424. The descriptions of anatomical spacing and anti-bunching cutouts made with respect to glove 402 apply to anatomical spacing 422 and cut-outs 424 of glove 404.

In addition to the anatomical shapes of the palm of the hand, glove 404 includes finger pads 426. Finger pads 426 are separated by finger spacing 428. Finger spacing 428 can also be referred to as anatomical spacing with respect to the finger pads instead of the palm pads. In one example, finger pads 426 are located on the fingers to protect the loose connective tissue, pulleys, and tendons of the proximal, middle, and distal phalanges. In one example, finger pads 426 are placed only over one portion of the finger such as the proximal phalanges, or only over the distal phalanges, or only over the middle phalanges. In any example of finger pads 426, the finger pads are not placed over the distal or middle digital creases. Leaving the digital creases open can reduce bulkiness that might inhibit finger flexion and cause excessive fatigue.

In one example, the width and length of the pads on the fingers corresponds to the size of the fleshy part of the fingers, and will thus vary from finger to finger. In one example, finger pads 426 are not placed on the lateral sides of the fingers in between the fingers. In one example, glove 404 includes a thumb pad positioned on the inside portion of the proximal phalange where pressure is high during gripping. The thumb pad can enhance the opposing grip pressure of the thumb, while preventing rotation of the sports implement or rotation of the hand with respect to other equipment.

FIG. 4C is a representation of an example of a glove with grips pads located on the palm and with patterned finger pads corresponding to the anatomy of a hand closed in a grip. Glove 406 provides an example of a glove in accordance with glove 106 of FIG. 1B. Glove 406 provides an example of a glove in accordance with glove 402 of FIG. 4A.

Glove 406 includes grip pads on the palm separated by anatomical spacing 432. The palm pads include anti-bunching cut-outs 434. The descriptions of anatomical spacing and anti-bunching cutouts made with respect to glove 402 apply to anatomical spacing 432 and cut-outs 434 of glove 406.

In addition to the anatomical shapes of the palm of the hand, glove 406 includes finger pads 436. The description of finger pads 426 of glove 404 can also apply to finger pads 436 of glove 406. While not specifically identified, glove 406 includes similar finger spacing as described with respect to glove 404, and the descriptions above apply to glove 406.

In one example, glove 406 includes anti-bunching cut-outs 438. The anti-bunching cutouts can provide addition flexibility of glove 406 for a tighter grip by allowing the finger grip pads to contract tighter without additional bunching inherent with sports gloves. Glove 406 with the anatomically placed pads reduces slippage of the thumb and fingers to allow for a tighter grip and help prevent recoil of a sports implement within the hand. Anatomically placed grip pads augment contraction of the thenar eminence muscles while gripping a sports implement, which also results in reduced recoil into the thenar eminence. In one example, glove 406 provides a minimalist approach to grip enhancement, with thin grip pads and patterning of the grip pads based on the shape of the thenar muscle complex.

FIG. 4D is a representation of an example of a sports glove to grip a bat. Glove 408 provides an example of a glove in accordance with glove 106 of FIG. 1B. Glove 408 provides an example of a glove in accordance with glove 406 of FIG. 4C.

Glove 408 includes grip pads on the palm separated by anatomical spacing 442. The palm pads include anti-bunching cut-outs (not specifically labeled for glove 408). The descriptions of anatomical spacing and anti-bunching cutouts made with respect to glove 402 and 406 apply to anatomical spacing 442 and cut-outs of glove 408.

In addition to the anatomical shapes of the palm of the hand, glove 408 includes finger pads 444. The description of finger pads 426 of glove 404 and finger pads 436 of glove 406 can also apply to finger pads 444 of glove 408. While not specifically identified, glove 408 includes similar finger spacing as described with respect to glove 404, and anti-bunching cutouts in finger pads 436, and the descriptions above apply to glove 408.

Glove 408 specifically illustrates sports implement 446, which is shaped as a bat in the diagram. It will be understood that a different sports implement can be used in accordance with the descriptions. It will be observed from sports implement 446 that the handle of the bat will rest primarily on the thenar eminence and the hypothenar eminence when gripped. The areas of contact can be understood by visualizing how the gloved hand will wrap around sports implement 446.

Besides what is described herein, various modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments and implementations of the invention without departing from their scope. Therefore, the illustrations and examples herein should be construed in an illustrative, and not a restrictive sense. The scope of the invention should be measured solely by reference to the claims that follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sport glove comprising: a base material to form the sport glove in a shape of a hand; and grip pads of a different material from the base material, the grips pads located on the shape of the hand corresponding to locations of pressure points on a palm side of the hand when the hand is contracted to grip a sport implement, the grip pads to reduce the transfer of vibration from the sport implement to the hand, the grip pads having spacing patterns to correspond to creases of the palm side of the hand to reduce bunching of the grip pads at the creases of the palm side of the hand when the hand is contracted to grip the sport implement.
 2. The sport glove of claim 1, wherein the different material comprises silicone rubber.
 3. The sport glove of claim 1, wherein the different material has a Shore A durometer of approximately 20-30.
 4. The sport glove of claim 1, wherein the grip pads include a pattern to mirror a thenar eminence of the hand.
 5. The sport glove of claim 1, wherein the grip pads include a pattern to mirror a hypothenar eminence of the hand.
 6. The sport glove of claim 1, wherein the grip pads comprise grip pads on an outside of the sport glove, to be in direct contact between the base material and the sport implement.
 7. The sport glove of claim 1, wherein the grip pads comprise grip pads on an inside of the sport glove, to be in direct contact between the base material and the palm of the hand.
 8. The sport glove of claim 1, wherein the grip pads include grip pads corresponding to a location of one or more fingers of the hand.
 9. The sport glove of claim 8, wherein the grip pads corresponding to a location of the one or more fingers comprise grips pads on an inside of the sport glove, to be in direct contact between the base material and the palm of the hand.
 10. The sport glove of claim 8, wherein the grip pads are non-overlapping of creases of the one or more fingers of the hand.
 11. The sport glove of claim 8, wherein the grip pads include at least one grip pad corresponding to a location of a thumb of the hand.
 12. The sport glove of claim 11, wherein the at least one grip pad corresponding to a location of the thumb comprises a grip pad on an inside of the sport glove, to be in direct contact between the base material and the thumb of the hand.
 13. The sport glove of claim 11, wherein the at least one grip pad corresponding to a location of the thumb of the hand comprises a grip pad located corresponding to an area between an interphalangeal joint crease and a metacarpophalangeal joint crease of the thumb of the hand.
 14. The sport glove of claim 1, wherein the sport implement comprises a bat, or a club, or a racket.
 15. A glove comprising: a base material to form the glove for a hand; and grip pads of a different material from the base material, the grips pads located corresponding to an anatomical structure of the hand, including grip pads over locations of pressure points on a palm side of the hand when the hand is contracted into a grip, and spacing between the grips pads over creases of the hand, the different material to reduce the transfer of vibration from gripped equipment to the hand, the spacing to reduce bunching of the grip pads at the creases of the hand when the hand is contracted into the grip.
 16. The glove of claim 15, wherein the grip pads comprise grip pads on an outside of the glove, to be in direct contact between the base material and the gripped equipment, and grip pads on an inside of the glove, to be in direct contact between the base material and the palm of the hand.
 17. The glove of claim 15, wherein the grip pads include at least one grip pad located over a thenar eminence of the hand and at least one grip pad located over a hypothenar eminence of the hand.
 18. The glove of claim 15, wherein the spacing includes at least one groove over a thenar crease of the hand, and at least one groove over a proximal palmar crease of the hand.
 19. The glove of claim 15, wherein the grip pads include grip pads over pads of fingers of the hand, and at least one pad over an area between an interphalangeal joint crease and a metacarpophalangeal joint crease of the thumb of the hand.
 20. The glove of claim 15, wherein the gripped equipment comprises sports equipment. 